A server came up and took their orders. When she left, Phoebe patted Tasha’s hand. “There’s a lot of water under the bridge. A decision doesn’t have to be made today, but I’m happy the two of you are talking.”
“I never stopped talking,” Tasha blurted. “Or trying to talk, even on the last day the rink was open.”
“If you want me to feel even guiltier, you’re succeeding.” Kristen sipped her coffee. “When you get back to Wishing Bay, I hope you’ll try again. Because this time, so will I.”
Tasha nodded, except a part of her didn’t want to return to Wishing Bay. She couldn’t stay in Berry Lake, though. So where did that leave her?
* * *
On Christmas Eve, Elias and Higgins sat on the floor in his grandparents’ living room. Logs crackled in the fireplace. A plate of homemade cookies sat next to cups of eggnog on the coffee table. A Christmas movie played on the TV. It was the same as every other December twenty-fourth, but something was missing.
Not something.
Someone.
Tasha.
Elias sighed.
Higgins wiggled, his sign that he wanted rubs.
“You’ve spoiled that dog,” Dad said from the couch.
Grammy clucked her tongue. “Pets are meant to be spoiled. The same as children.”
Gramps harrumphed. “Elias is the least spoiled child I know.”
“That’s because you know how wouldn’t let us spoil him.” Sounding affronted, she pointed at Dad. “At least I was allowed to bake for him when he was growing up.”
“You spoiled me enough. Still do.” Elias didn’t want her to get upset with her heart condition. “And you know I’d rather have your cookies than anything.”
At the sound of “cookies,” Higgins jumped to his feet.
Elias laughed. “Higgins agrees.”
“Thank you.” Gratitude shone in Grammy’s eyes. “Are you keeping him?”
“I’m thinking about it.” Which surprised even Elias. “He’s a good boy and seems to be okay with my schedule.”
“You don’t have time for a dog.” Dad grabbed a cookie. “You should find a girlfriend first.”
“My grandson is a catch.” Grammy picked up her eggnog. “When he’s ready for a relationship, I’m sure Higgins might help him find a girlfriend or a wife.”
Elias remained silent. He focused on the movie, but the image on the screen blurred. Higgins had already found him the perfect woman. Elias needed a plan to get her back. It was only the twenty-fourth. She wasn’t leaving until the thirty-first. He had time to come up with something.
* * *
On Christmas morning, Elias sits next to the tree with Higgins. They wore matching their Christmas sweaters. Ripped wrapping paper was all over floor. There were enough dog toys for an entire rescue, but one present remained beneath the branches.
Elias pointed at it. “Looks like there’s on left, bud. It’s from Santa Paws.”
He pulled the gift closer and helped Higgins open it. “Look. It’s a cushy dog pillow with your name embroidered on the front.”
Higgins sniffed the pillow. His tail wagged.
Elias placed the pillow in the dog’s favorite spot next to the fireplace. “Look at that. Your pillow fits perfectly.”
As Higgins spun around, Elias went to the front window. Snow fell. He glanced toward cottage and sighed. He wished Tasha could see how perfectly they could fit together, but that might take a Christmas miracle.
